Cornwall Council is supporting nurseries, pre-schools, childminders and school reception classes to help children under five develop healthy habits for life.
From today (Tuesday, September 8), all Early Years settings will have access to the new Healthy Under 5s Framework, alongside training and practical resources, to help them create healthier environments and embed good practice in their everyday work.
The framework complements and enhances the national Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Statutory Framework, helping settings to meet legal requirements around children’s health and wellbeing.
Created by the Council's Public Health team in collaboration with Early Years support services, it provides practical steps across eight important areas of children’s health and wellbeing:
Food and nutrition
Oral health
Physical activity
Sleep
Emotional health and wellbeing
Infection control, illness and accident prevention
Community, environment and responsibility
Toilet training
As part of the Healthy Under 5s offer, Early Years settings can also access Healthy Under 5s updates, training and resources, join network meetings to share ideas and best practice, and receive tailored support based on their needs and priorities.
Cllr Hilary Frank, Cabinet Member for Children, Schools and Families, said:
"Healthy habits learned in the earliest years can stay with children throughout their lives. This new Healthy Under 5s Framework will give our Early Years settings practical support to make those habits part of everyday life, helping to give every child the healthiest possible start.”
Cllr Thalia Marrington, Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Public Health, said:
“Early Years providers play a vital role in supporting children’s development, and this framework recognises the fantastic work already taking place across Cornwall.
“By bringing together guidance on key aspects of health and wellbeing, the Healthy Under 5s Framework will help settings build on best practice and ensure children have the foundations they need to thrive, both now and in the future.”
Early years settings can access the full Healthy Under 5s Framework, guidance, training information and supporting resources through the Services for Schools Early Years platform.
Settings can demonstrate and celebrate their commitment to children’s health and wellbeing by completing two simple steps to receive the Healthy Under 5s Pledge Certificate. The certificate shows families, staff and visitors that the setting is actively using the Framework to strengthen its approach to children’s health and wellbeing.
The framework is also available to organisations, services or groups that work with early years children. They can request a copy of the Framework by emailing healthyunder5s@cornwall.gov.uk